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LEAVES  FROM 
THE  JOURNAL 
OF  A MEDICAL 
MISSIONARY 


Mrs.  Anna  K.  Scott,  M.  D.  Swatow,  China 

Author  of  “ Korno  Sign." 


ec'iloR 


Lt) 


W o m a.  n ’ s Baptist  Foreign 
Missionary  Society  of  the  West 


Leaves  from  the  Journal 
of  a Medical  Missionary 


MRS.  JiMKJi  K . SCOTT,  M.  D. 

SWATOUI,  CHINA 
j&uthor  of  “i^orno  Siga ** 


Woman’s  Baptist  Foreign  Missionary  Society  of  the  West 

1904 


Xcaves  from  the  3ournal  of  a 
flDetucal  fliMsmonarp. 


Swatow,  China,  Nov.  15,  1889. 

OW  strange  the  Providence  that  has 
~ brought  me  to  China  instead  of  re- 
turning me  to  my  former  work  in 
Assam!  Circumstances  which  I could  not  con- 
trol made  it  seem  my  duty  to  turn  my  face 
to  the  medical  work  in  Swatow — a work  left 
vacant  for  five  years  by  the  illness  of  my  prede- 
cessor, Dr.  C.  H.  Daniells,  and  her  enforced  stay 
in  the  home  land. 

Swatow  is  a beautiful  spot  and  the  mission- 
aries have  given  me  a most  cordial  reception,  I 
trust  I may  have  health  and  wisdom  to  do  the 
best  work  of  my  life  here. 


February  18,  1890. 

What  a “petrified  fixedness”  characterizes 
the  Chinese!  Religion,  philosophy  and  medicine 
stand  just  where  they  stood  a thousand  years  ago. 
It  is  a mystery  how  they  have  contrived  to  change 
so  little  in  a world  so  full  of  changes.  They 
never  give  one  a reason  for  a rule  of  conduct,  but 
simply  say,  “It  is  our  ancestral  custom-”  They 
never  once  think  they  can  do  a whit  differently 


1 


from  their  forefathers.  It  is  pitiable  to  witness 
their  fear  of  demons.  They  prefer  to  be  closely 
crowded  into  small  rooms  where  there  can  be  no 
space  left  for  demons.  They  say  there  is  a de- 
mon for  each  eight  feet  of  space — hence  if  eight 
people  can  be  crowded  into  that  space  no  demon 
can  enter. 

Practicing  medicine  in  China  is  no  kid-glove 
work.  I found  patients  awaiting  me  when  I ar- 
rived in  Swatow,  and  I have  been  very  busy  at 
that  kind  of  work  every  day  since. 

Feb  25th — I make  my  first  country  trip  and 
visit  the  great  city  of  Chao-Chow-Fu.  The  teem- 
ing masses  of  people  unchristianized  and  grossly 
heathen  impress  me  deeply.  The  loathsome  di- 
seases are  everywhere  rife  and  appeal  to  one’s 
sympathy. 

June  20th — To-day  I received  the  joyful  news 
that  my  only  daughter  is  to  come  to  Swatow  to 
engage  in  evangelistic  work  for  Chinese  women 
and  girls.  May  her  coming  be  a blessing  to  this 
people.  The  Bible  woman’s  work  commenced 
here  by  Miss  Fielde  has  been  a very  successful 
part  of  our  Swatow  mission. 

Oct.  17th — To-day,  in  company  with  Mr. 
d Mrs.  Foster  I start  for  a country  trip  to 
visit  all  the  mission  stations  in  our  Kit  Yang 
region.  At  each  place  I hope  to  attend  the 
sick,  while  Mrs.  Foster  and  the  Bible  women 
talk  to  the  women  and  children  of  Jesus  and 


2 


the  “true  doctrine.”  One  object  in  this  ex- 
tensive visitation  of  the  Kit  Yang  region  is  to 
select  a suitable  place  for  the  erection  of  a hos- 
pital. Our  hospital  at  Swatow  is  too  far  away  to 
meet  the  needs  of  the  vast  population  of  this  part 
of  our  mission  field. 

October  22nd — I am  thronged  with  patients 
on  every  hand.  Among  them  is  one  poor  woman 
who  has  two  immense  abcesses.  She  is  wasted 
and  near  death’s  door.  I hardly  know  whether  I 
can  help  her  or  not.  I lanced  the  abcesses  and  drew 
away  nearly  four  quarts  of  pus!  I left  her  remedies 
internal  and  external.  She  is  a heathen  woman  and 
listened  well  to  the  story  of  the  Great  Physician. 

Oct.  23rd — At  Kit  Yang  I treat  many  * 

patients  at  our  chapel  and  some  by  the  way- 
side.  Two  small  rest  houses  on  each  side 
of  the  river  were  built,  I am  told,  by  a for- 
mer Mandarin  whose  wife  is  buried  on  a hill 
overlooking  Kit  Yang  city.  He  desired  the  aid 
of  her  spirit  in  deciding  court  cases  and  so  built 
these  rest  places  that  her  spirit  might  not  grow 
too  weary  before  she  reached  the  Yamen  where 
her  husband  was  trying  difficult  criminal  cases. 

Oct.  25th — Spent  Sunday  at  Kie-Than  where 
good  old  Lotus  lives.  She  was  formerly  an  inter- 
preter in  the  temple  of  heathen  gods.  She  had  her 
tongue  split  that  her  voice  might  be  made  more 
impressive.  She  has  for  years  been  a devout 
follower  of  the  Saviour  and  is  doing  all  she  can 


3 


to  bring  up  her  numerous  descendants  in  the  ways 
of  truth. 

Oct.  26th — At  Knang  Po  I visit  a woman 
who  had  been  treated  for  a serious  malady  in  my 
hospital,  and  find  she  has  cast  aside  her  idols  and 
now  believes  in  the  true  God.  Our  trip  ends  to- 
day— I have  treated  about  500  patients  and  visited 
fifteen  of  our  mission  stations. 

Nov.  6th — With  great  joy  I have  this  day  wel- 
comed my  daughter  Mary  and  Miss  Dunwiddie 
and  Miss  Campbell  to  Swatow.  Our  Woman’s 
Society  of  the  West  is  doing  a grand  work  here. 
The  single  ladies  they  send  out  are  a very  im- 
portant factor  in  our  work  for  Chinese  women. 

Dec.  5th — The  Fosters  and  I are  off  for 
another  country  trip.  This  time  we  are  to 
visit  the  great  and  wicked  city  of  Chow  Yang, 
where  I hope  to  open  a dispensary.  The 
gospel  has  made  slow  progress  here,  as  the  city 
is  wholly  given  to  idolatry.  We  hope  medical 
work  in  the  name  of  Jesus  may  soften  hard  hearts 
and  make  the  people  willing  to  accept  the  Great 
Physician  as  their  helper. 

Dec.  12th — At  one  village  where  we  went  to- 
day a Chinese  theatre  was  in  full  blast.  They 
stopped  the  performance  and  came  out,  actors 
and  all,  to  see  the  “foreign  devils”  as  they  called 
us.  Mr.  Foster  did  splendid  work  in  preaching 
to  them  Jesus  and  the  Resurrection. 

Dec.  25th — At  home.  We  enjoyed  im- 


4 


mensely  having  our  whole  force  of  missionaries 
with  us  for  Christmas  dinner. 

January  1,  1891. 

Have  just  learned  that  the  heathen  woman  I 
operated  on  recently  for  entropion  is  now  a be- 
liever and  rejoices  in  spiritual  sight  as  well  as 
temporal. 

Feb.  18th — Visited  Kit  Yang  and  got  my  dis- 
pensary in  good  working  order.  I trust  this  be- 
ginning of  work  here  may  prove  one  rich  in  bless- 
ings in  the  conversions  of  may  souls  as  well  as  in 
restored  health  to  suffering  bodies. 

Feb.  28th — This  has  been  a very  busy  day; 
many  patients  and  some  who  have  been  deeply 
interested  in  the  story  of  salvation.  Am  not 
sleeping  well  as  the  rats  run  over  my  bed  all 
night,  and  were  it  not  for  my  mosquito  net  they 
would  gnaw  my  flesh.  One  very  pitiable  case  of 
an  old  man  who  came  to  have  his  eyes  cured: — it 
was  a hopeless  case  and  I could  only  tell  him  of 
the  perfect  sight  he  would  have  in  the  heavenly 
land  if  he  accepted  Jesus  as  his  Saviour.  The 
glad  smile  that  played  over  his  before  hopeless 
countenance,  did  my  heart  good.  At  four  o’clock 
this  afternoon  I went  to  visit  a haunted  house. 
The  owner  of  it  committed  suicide  several  years 
ago  and  no  one  dares  to  occupy  it  since.  The 
grounds  about  it  are  large  and  fine,  but  the  house 
looks  like  desolation  itself.  The  Chinese  tell  me 
that  demons,  big  and  little,  hold  revel  here 

5 


every  night.  My  Bible  woman  tells  me  that 
houses  are  made  to  appear  haunted  sometimes 
when  a man  wishes  to  get  a cheap  house,  he 
will  catch  a number  of  frogs  and  sew  up  their 
mouths  and  place  them  in  various  places  in  the 
house,  the  owner  knowing  nothing  of  his  scheme. 
The  unearthly  noises  made  by  these  frogs  is 
enough  to  make  any  one’s  blood  run  cold.  The 
owner  hastily  sells  the  house  and  the  new  owner 
rejoices  in  his  fine  bargain.  It  is  but  the  work  of 
a few  moments  to  kill  the  frogs. 

May  6th — In  the  Swatow  hospital  to-day 
a woman  came  who  had  been  cruelly  beaten  by  her 
opium  smoking  husband.  Her  little  babe  died 
when  only  three  days  old.  The  same  day  her 
husband  demanded  of  her  a good  dinner  and 
quickly  cooked.  He  had  used  all  their  money  for 
opium  and  she  had  none  wherewith  to  buy  eata- 
bles. She  was  weak  and  miserable  and  did  not 
succeed  in  pleasing  his  lordship,  whereupon  he 
beat  her  most  cruelly.  I am  trying  to  patch  her 
up  so  he  will  not  leave  her  and  buy  another  wife. 

May  10th — Made  another  trip  to  Kit  Yang — 
many  patients,  much  hard  work,  many  rats  and 
many  sleepless  nights.  It  was  profitable  time 
spent,  however,  so  far  as  my  medical  work  was 
concerned,  and  I can  put  up  with  fatigue  for  the 
sake  of  helping  the  suffering  masses. 

Sept.  1 — Have  been  quite  ill,  was  obliged  to 
go  to  Double  Island  for  about  six  weeks  for  a lit- 


6 


tie  rest  and  change — the  first  I have  had  since  ar- 
riving in  China,  Nov.  15,  1889. 

Sept.  23rd — Swatow  was  visited  with  a very 
destructive  typhoon,  which  sadly  marred  the 
beauty  of  our  mission  compound  and  greatly  in- 
jured the  houses  and  mission  boats. 

Oct.  30th — Many  patients  in  the  Swatow  hos- 
pital and  many  interesting  cases.  One  old  lady 
who  has  had  many  trials  and  persecutions  since 
she  become  a Christian  is  a model  of  cheerfulness 
and  her  example  is  proving  very  beneficial  to  all 
the  other  patients.  Twenty-one  were  baptized  at 
our  last  communion  season. 

Nov.  15th — I have  visited  Kit  Yang  fort- 
nightly and  am  to-day  opening  a dispensary  at 
Chow  Yang.  If  by  my  stay  in  China  I can  open 
a good  hospital  at  Kit  Yang  and  start  a successful 
work  at  Chow  Yang  in  addition  to  establishing  a 
permanent  work  in  our  Swatow  field,  I shall  feel 
that  my  coming  to  this  land  has  not  been  in  vain. 

The  Chinese  as  a people  are  much  more  self- 
reliant  and  independent  than  I expected  to  find 
them,  and  they  have  energy  and  patient  endur- 
ance. There  is  nothing  of  the  abject  and  servile 
in  their  make-up.  They  are  justly  called  the 
Yankees  of  the  Orient.  The  converts,  like  those 
in  Assam,  do  not  object  to  being  coddled  if  per- 
chance they  can  find  a coddling  missionary,  but 
when  thrown  upon  their  own  resources  they  show 
an  iron  will  in  overcoming  all  obstacles  to  their 


7 


success.  They  are  thrifty  and  industrious.  The 
foundation  of  this  Swatow  mission  has  been  laid 
by  wise  master-builders,  and  the  fruits  of  their 
thorough  substantial  building  are  everywhere  ap- 
parent. No  worthless  decayed  material  has  been 
used  here  in  order  that  a big  structure  may  greet 
the  eye  and  call  forth  the  praise  of  men.  The 
rock,  Christ  Jesus,  is  its  foundation.  The  Bible 
is  its  rule  of  conduct  and  belief.  China  has,  in 
the  inscrutable  plans  of  the  Almighty  been  kept 
back  until  the  present  era.  The  days  of  extreme 
conservatism  and  bigotry  are  now  passing  away 
and  a brighter  day  dawns  for  the  land  of  Sinim. 

Oh,  this  Chinese  language!  So  difficult  and 
yet  so  fascinating!  Shall  I ever  be  able  to  use  it 
better  than  my  present  poor  stammering  tongue? 
Medical  work  in  China  is  hard  on  the  doctor.  My 
great  joy  that  buoys  me  up  while  among  the 
lepers,  the  scrofulous,  and  the  hundred  other 
loathsome  diseases  is  that  it  gives  opportunity  to 
lead  them  to  the  Great  Physician. 

There  is  this  advantage  in  the  medical  work 
over  the  evangelistic — the  people  eagerly  seek  the 
doctor,  while  the  evangelist  must  seek  the 
people.  The  healing  of  the  soul  is  infinitely 
more  important  than  bodily  healing.  It  was  for 
this  soul-saving  work  that  I left  my  medical  prac- 
tice in  Cleveland  and  came  so  far  away  from 
friends  and  native  land. 


8 


January  1,  1892. 

The  two  years  of  my  stay  in  Swatow  have 
been  crowned  with  rdany  blessings.  Our  very 
beautiful  mission  compound — the  helpful  and  har- 
monious companship  of  my  co-workers — the  wel- 
coming of  five  new  workers,  one  of  whom  is  my 
own  daughter — the  two  years  stay  with  me  of  my 
youngest  son,  who  bears  the  name  of  his  sainted 
father — and  the  prosperity  and  growth  of  the  gen- 
eral work  have  been  sources  of  real  enjoyment. 
I no  w begin  to  use  scripture  texts  from  our  col- 
loquial Chinese  with  some  facility,  but  when  I 
undertake  to  give  a religious  talk  to  these  people 
I feel  like  one  going  around  an  immense  building 
and  finding  no  entrance  to  it,  save  a tiny  window 
which  one  crawls  into  with  great  difficulty.  I 
wish  I could  talk  Chinese  as  well  as  Assamese. 
If  I attempt  to  talk  or  pray  the  Assamese  words 
always  come  to  me  first. 

In  the  hospital  wards  my  Bible  woman 
“Speed”  is  earnest  and  effective  in  personal  re- 
ligious work.  She  is  a most  capable  woman  and 
I know  not  how  I could  carry  on  my  work  without 
her.  Many  opium  smokers  come  to  the  hospital 
to  be  cured  of  the  dreadful  habit.  “Speed’s” 
words  of  exhortation  and  encouragement  help 
these  miserable  patients  in  their  days  of  agony. 

July  18th — I have  a class  of  young  men 
who  are  studying  with  a view  of  becoming 
our  helpers.  I hope  I may  succeed  in  fitting 


9 


them  to  become  valuable  assistants  to  the 
medical  missionaries  who  may  come  after 
me.  Thus  far  I have  had  to  treat  all  cases, 
fill  all  prescriptions  and  personally  care  for 
every  patient.  If  I had  not  had  an  iron  con- 
stitution I never  could  have  endured  the  work  of 
the  past  four  years.  I have  often  treated  one 
hundred  in  a single  day  and  have  barely  had  time 
to  swallow  my  meals.  Sometimes  I long  for  a 
respite  from  it  all,  to  get  away  from  the  vile 
odors  of  this  filthy  land,  to  breathe  once  more  the 
pure  air  of  my  native  land  and  meet  my  children, 
grand  children  and  friends  beloved.  Yes,  some- 
times I long  with  an  inexpressible  longing  to  be 
present  at  the  services  of  the  dear  First  Baptist 
Church  in  Cleveland — to  grasp  the  hands  of  dear 
Christian  friends  and  tell  them  how  thankful  they 
should  be  that  they  do  not  live  in  China.  And 
then  I think  of  the  great  work  here — of  the  mil- 
lions who  have  never  known  the  joy  of  redeeming 
love — of  my  Master’s  command,  “Go  ye,”  and 
then  my  heart  yearns  over  these  people  whom  I 
love,  and  I pray  to  be  used  many  years  in  this 
great  work;  and  I am  glad  to  stay  on. 

April,  1894. 

Was  on  the  point  of  starting  for  Am  Po 
to  join  my  daughter  in  a country  trip  when 
quite  to  my  surprise  she  entered  our  house 
looking  very  pale  and  worn.  Her  house  boat 
was  struck  by  lightning  at  midnight  the  night  be- 


lt) 


fore  and  an  electrical  storm  of  great  severity 
lasted  for  six  hours.  The  boat  was  so  badly 
damaged  it  could  go  no  farther.  One  boatman 
was  burned  in  the  leg  by  the  passage  of  the  cur- 
rent. My  heart  overflows  with  thanksgiving  that 
the  precious  life  of  my  daughter  is  spared.  The 
boatmen  say,  “surely  the  true  God  must  care  for 
Miss  Scott  or  she  could  not  have  lived  through 
the  terrible  experiences  of  that  dreadful  storm.” 
Three  days  later  she  and  I took  my  boat  and  went 
to  Am  Po,  and  from  thence  to  many  other  towns 
healing  the  sick  and  preaching  the  gospel. 

April  30th — Took  possession  of  the  cottage 
at  Kit  Yang  which  Dr.  Ashmore  has  recently  had 
built  for  that  station.  How  homelike  and  com- 
fortable it  is.  Now  good  bye  to  rats  and  vermin 
and  damp  dark  rooms.  I hope  I may  now  also 
say  good  bye  to  my  tantalizing  rheumatism  and 
to  sleepless  nights. 

October — Our  hospital  building  at  Kit  Yang 
is  now  ready  for  use.  In  comparison  with 
the  place  in  the  city  we  have  been  using  for  four 
years,  this  new  building  on  the  bank  of  the  river 
seems  palatial.  Bright  sunny  rooms,  a real  board 
floor  instead  of  damp  mouldy  tiles,  and  real  glass 
windows  instead  of  little  slits  in  the  wall,  make 
my  present  quarters  comfortable  indeed.  This 
hospital  has  been  built  throiigh  the  generosity  of 
the  Woman’s  Society  of  the  West  and  Mrs.  Sher- 
man of  Spencerport,  N.  Y.  The  land  for  the  site 


11 


largely  the  gift  of  the  Ashmores  of  our  mission. 
Our  dwelling  house  in  Swatow,  built  two  years 
ago,  has  been  my  delightful  home  while  carrying 
on  my  medical  work  at  that  place.  Ohio  friends 
and  the  Society  of  the  West  came  to  our  aid  when 
four  of  the  missionaries  were  homeless,  and  Miss 
Dunwiddie,  Dr.  Ross,  my  daughter  and  myself, 
took  possession  of  it  as  soon  as  it  was  finished. 
It  is  all  we  can  ask  for  in  a home.  Our  daily 
routine  in  the  medical  work  is  as  follows:  At  9 
o’clock  the  native  preacher  calls  the  patients  to- 
gether for  services  in  the  cnapel.  In-patients  and 
out-patients  in  large  numbers  gather  to  listen  to 
the  true  doctrine.  Our  hospital  is  called  the 
“True  Doctrine  Healing  Place.”  After  the  ser- 
vice preachers  and  Bible  women  are  busy  in  per- 
sonal religious  work  among  the  waiting  dispen- 
sary patients,  while  I am  more  than  busy  with 
ailments  to  be  treated — fevers  of  many  kinds, 
tumors,  cancers,  leprosy,  beri-beri,  stricture  of 
the  esophagus,  ulcers,  abcesses  and  eye  diseases. 

October — I am  having  the  rare  privilege  of 
my  daughter’s  help  and  companionship  for  a week 
at  Kit  Yang.  One  afternoon  while  visiting  in  the 
homes  of  the  Chinese  she  found  a young  man  ap- 
parently in  a dying  condition,  and  according  to 
Chinese  custom  he  had  been  placed  on  the  floor 
to  die.  He  had  been  starved  for  ten  days  in  or- 
der “to  kill  the  fever.”  He  seemed  a hopeless 
case,  but  the  Lord  blessed  the  means  used  and  he 


12 


is  now  in  a fair  way  to  recovery.  His  mother  has 
taken  down  the  idolatrous  objects  from  their 
house  and  seems  a true  believer;  and  the  conval- 
escent son  says  he  can  never  again  worship  idols. 
A well-to-do  man  living  near  the  hospital  has 
been  seriously  ill  and  is  now  recovering.  He  and 
his  whole  family  listen  eagerly  to  the  Doctrine. 
Two  years  ago,  among  the  many  opium-smokers 
who  came  to  the  Swatow  hospital,  was  one  most 
forlorn  case  from  Kit  Yang.  He  gave  up  the 
opium  habit  and  became  an  earnest  Christian. 
He  has  been  the  means  of  bringing  three  others 
to  Christ,  and  all  four  are  now  members  of  the 
Kit  Yang  church.  Two  literary  graduates  are 
now  in  the  Swatow  hospital  to  be  cured  of  the 
opium  habit  and  seem  deeply  interested  in  gospel 
truth. 

My  Bible-woman  recently  found  a woman 
who  had  been  put  on  the  floor  to  die.  She  was 
wasted  to  a skeleton,  almost — was  covered  with 
vermin  and  had  been  starved  for  twenty  days. 
The  Bible  woman  cleansed  her  and  put  her  back 
to  bed  and  I undertook  to  cure  her.  She  is 
now  getting  well  and  has  received  the  truth  with 
joy.  And  thus  the  work  moves  on — no  big  re- 
sults, but  with  some  encouragements  and  here 
and  there  one  of  the  many  patients  brought  into 
the  light  of  the  new  faith.  “Were  there  not  ten 
cleansed?  Where  are  the  nine?” 

I am  now  trying  to  run  two  hospitals  and 


13 


two  dispensaries  besides  seeing  many  patients  in 
their  homes.  I am  sometimes  a whole  day  and 
night  with  a confinement  case.  Those  who  have 
done  this  kind  of  work  in  Chinese  homes  know 
how  exceedingly  trying  it  is.  I cannot  begin  to 
do  justice  to  the  work  and  shall  be  glad  indeed 
when  Dr.  Josephine  Bixby  arrives  to  take  over 
the  Kit  Yang  work.  Our  capable  and  much-loved 
Dr.  Alice  Ross  was  compelled  by  ill-health  to  re- 
turn to  the  home  land. 

The  medical  class  of  six  are  doing  well — 
they  are  entirely  self-supporting.  I am  some- 
times weary  in  the  work,  but  never  weary  of  it. 

I am  delighted  with  the  articles  for  my  hos- 
pital sent  by  Ohio  friends.  So  many  lovely  ban. 
dages!  This  morning  I had  occasion  to  use  one 
and  inside  the  roll  I found  the  name  of  “Annie 
Allison.”  The  patients  asked  me  what  the  bit  of 
paper  meant,  and  I told  them  a dear  little  Christ- 
ian girl  had  made  that  bandage  for  them  and  had 
put  her  name  inside  the  roll.  You  should  have 
heard  their  words  of  surprise:  “And  do  Christian 
children  care  for  us  poor  sick  Chinese  people?” 
This  gave  me  a grand  opportunity  to  tell  them  of 
the  love  and  compassion  of  Jesus  and  of  those 
who  are  His  true  followers. 

Dec.  1st — Dr.  Bixby,  whom  we  joyfully  wel- 
comed last  month,  is  with  us  for  a few  days  at 
Kit  Yang.  She  has  had  unusually  good  training 
in  eye  diseases  and  is  in  every  way  a valuable  ac- 


14 


quisition  to  this  work.  She  will  take  charge  of 
the  Kit  Yang  work  soon.  Our  Society  allows  its 
medical  missionaries  only  six  months  for  study 
of  the  language  without  responsibility. 

February  19,  1895. 

Among  the  patients  today  was  a very  re- 
spectable looking  Chinese  gentleman  who  four 
years  ago  was  cured  in  the  Swatow  hospital.  He 
then  heard  the  Word,  became  a believer,  and  is 
soon  to  be  baptized.  He  has  been  the  means  of 
leading  eight  others  to  become  believers.  At 
service  met  the  young  man  who  was  cured  last 
year  after  being  placed  on  the  floor  to  die.  He 
and  his  brother  are  regular  attendants  at  the 
chapel.  During  the  week  Dr.  Bixby  and  I treated 
more  than  a thousand  patients  at  Kit  Yang — Dr. 
Bixby  taking  charge  of  the  numerous  eye  cases. 

Feb.  28th — On  reaching  Swatow  I found  a 
number  of  patients  in  my  hospital  who  had  come 
from  the  Island  of  Namoa.  They  are  very  inter- 
esting cases.  Several  of  the  women  are  here  for 
surgical  operations.  I hope  their  coming  may 
lead  to  their  conversion  and  the  opening  of  our 
work  in  that  island. 

April  12th — At  Phan  thai.  Attended  fifty  pa- 
tients at  the  chapel  this  morning,  and  in  the  after- 
noon went  to  a village  two  miles  away  to  see  an 
old  woman  who  had  been  beaten  by  her  husband, 
son  and  daughter-in-law — all  three  combining 


15 


against  one  feeble  old  woman!  I hope  she  will 
recover.  All  along  the  way  there  were  throngs 
of  patients.  I never  enter  their  dark  filthy 
houses,  where  the  pigs  have  their  abode  and  are 
cared  for  more  tenderly  than  the  children,  without 
a shudder  and  an  exceeding  joy  that  I am  not  a 
Chinese  woman.  Their  poor  hearts  are  as  narrow 
and  dark  as  their  houses.  One  old  woman  sat  in 
her  door-way.  She  seemed  desolate  and  forlorn, 
and  in  answer  to  my  questions  said  she  was 
eighty  years  old,  and  her  only  joy  lay  in  the  fact 
that  she  had  four  sons  and  eight  grand-sons. 

Earthquakes,  typhoons,  bubonic  plague, 
cholera,  and  uprisings  among  the  members  of  the 
secret  societies  remind  us  that  this  is  not  our 
rest-  My  great  wish  is  that  “Christ  may  be  mag- 
nified in  my  body  whether  by  life  or  by  death.’’ 
And  oh,  that  these  poor  suffering  Chinese  might 
see  how  much  they  need  a Saviour  and  Salvation! 

Some  time  ago  there  was  brought  to  the 
Swatow  hospital  a beggar  woman  who  had  been 
bitten  by  a mad  dog.  Her  husband  is  an  opium 
smoker,  and  as  a result,  the  whole  family  are 
poverty  stricken.  She  had  heard  the  doctrine 
from  our  Bible-women  and  was  an  earnest, 
though  ignorant,  Christian.  “Speed”  has  watched 
over  her  with  tender  care.  She  had  fever  when 
she  was  brought  into  the  ward  and  we  watched 
anxiously  to  see  if  hydrophobia  symptoms  must 
follow  the  bite  of  the  mad  dog.  Fortunately  she 


16 


escaped  this  dreadful  calamity  and  is  now  in 
pretty  good  health.  Speed  has  taught  her  to  re- 
peat from  memory  nearly  the  whole  of  John’s 
gospel  and  is  now  teaching  her  to  read  the  New 
Testament  in  Chinese  colloquial.  This  woman’s 
name  is  “Pomegranite,”  and  my  daughter  has 
taken  her  into  the  training  class,  hoping  she  may 
become  a Bible  woman.  Pomegranite  has  a son 
who  is  a deaf  mute  and  Speed  has  taught  him  by 
signs  much  of  Christian  truth.  His  mother 
taught  him  to  bow  in  prayer  as  soon  as  she  her- 
self learned  to  pray.  This  lad  seems  deeply 
grieved  when  he  finds  the  heathen  patients  with 
idols  and  superstitious  charms.  He  eagerly  seeks 
Speed  and  indicates  to  her  his  desire  that  she 
teach  these  people  not  to  worship  any  but  the 
true  God-  He  is  happy  when  the  idols  are  cast 
aside  and  the  patients  bow  with  him  in  prayer. 

January  1,  1900. 

Five  years  have  passed  since  my  last  record 
in  my  journal.  During  most  of  that  period  my 
medical  work  has  gone  on  much  as  before,  save 
that  Dr.  Bixby  has  cared  for  the  Kit  Yang  work 
and  I have  given  my  time  to  Swatow.  In  the 
spring  of  1898  my  daughter  and  I went  for  a 
short  furlough  to  our  native  land.  I had  been 
eight  and  a half  years  with  scarcely  any  change 
and  rest  and  was  badly  broken  down.  Dr.  Bixby 
took  charge  of  my  work  while  I was  away.  I 
cannot  begin  to  express  my  joy  and  ecstatic  hap- 

17 


piness  while  in  the  blessed  land  of  my  ancestors. 
When  my  daughter  and  I returned,  we  gladly 
took  up  the  work  we  had  laid  down  for  a season. 
It  was  hard  for  me  to  again  part  with  children 
and  grandchildren,  but  it  is  a great  comfort  to  me 
that  Mary  is  with  me  and  that  dear  Miss  Wilkin- 
son has  come  to  be  her  co-worker  and  a member 
of  our  household. 

July  18th — The  Boxer  movement  has  broken 
out  in  the  North  and  all  China  is  in  a state  of  tur- 
moil and  insurrection.  At  the  request  of  our 
mission,  five  ladies  and  four  children  of  our  mis- 
sion left  China  for  a time.  Miss  Wilkinson,  Mary 
and  I went  to  Japan. 

October — The  story  of  this  fearful  summer  is 
fresh  in  the  minds  of  all.  Many  of  the  Lord’s 
servants  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  Boxers 
— some  have  been  sawn  asunder — others  roasted 
alive  and  their  ashes  scattered  to  the  winds.  The 
Legations  have  now  been  rescued  and  the  worst 
seems  over.  I believe  God  will  use  even  this 
fiery  trial  for  the  reformation  and  Christianization 
of  China.  “God  is  in  His  heaven;  all’s  well  with  the 
world.”  The  steadfastness  of  the  native  Christ- 
ians during  the  terrible  persecution  has  had  a 
telling  influence  in  favor  of  Christianity.  The 
people  everywhere  are  more  ready  to  hear  the 
Gospel  than  ever  before  and  our  preachers  and 
Bible  women  are  doing  good  and  faithful  work. 


18 


May  7,  1901. 

My  precious  daughter  was  this  day  married 
to  Rev.  Geo.  H.  Waters  of  our  mission,  an  emi- 
nently suitable  and  happy  match.  Mary  has  given 
eleven  years  of  faithful  service  to  the  work  of  the 
Woman’s  Society  of  the  West — she  will  now  be 
as  true  a missionary  as  before  but  in  a different 
line. 

October  30,  1902. 

Our  sweet  baby  boy,  Edward  Henry  Waters, 
came  to  us  this  day.  He  is  named  for  his  grand- 
fathers, Major  Henry  Waters  and  Rev-  Edward 
Payson  Scott. 

Nov.  3rd — Our  little  Edward  Henry  only  re- 
mained with  us  five  brief  days.  His  loss  is  hard 
to  bear,  but  he  is  happy  and  safe  with  Jesus  and 
his  grandfather  Scott.  My  health  is  far  from 
good.  I know  not  how  much  longer  I can  re- 
main on  in  this  climate.  The  dampness  affects 
me  sorely,  and  only  during  four  months  of  the 
year  do  I feel  at  all  well — eight  months  I am  un- 
fit for  work  and  it  is  very  trying  for  me  to  see  so 
much  to  be  done  and  be  so  unable  to  do  it.  My 
plan  is  to  return  home  in  1903  and  spend  the  re- 
mainder of  my  life  in  Christian  work  there.  I 
have  promise  that  Dr.  Worley  will  come  to  take 
the  medical  work.  His  coming  and  the  generous 
aid  given  for  the  erection  of  a much  needed  hos- 
pital building  have  greatly  cheered  and  encour- 
aged me.  How  much  I have  to  be  thankful  for! 


19 


January,  1903. 

Nine  students  who  have  graduated  from  the 
medical  class  have  taken  the  regular  course  of 
four  terms  of  seven  months  each  and  two  years 
of  practical  work  in  the  hospital  and  dispensary. 
They  are  all  druggists  as  well  as  doctors.  We 
must  make  our  own  tinctures,  powders,  pills,  etc., 
etc.  as  a mission  hospital  cannot  afford  to  buy 
these  ready  made.  The  reports  we  get  of  the 
good  work  being  done  by  these  trained  helpers 
are  very  gratifying.  I wish  we  had  at  least  fifty 
such  in  this  Swatow  district.  Many,  many  lives 
might  thus  be  saved.  This  medical  work  for 
Chinese  patients  grows  dearer  to  me  each  day. 

I must  not  forget  to  tell  my  journal  the 
glad  event  of  Pomegranite’s  husband  having 
come  to  the  hospital  to  be  cured  of  the  opium 
habit.  He  was  successfully  cured  and  never 
touched  the  drug  for  two  years — indeed,  until  the 
day  of  his  death.  He  died  last  summer  of  bubonic 
plague.  He  had  become  a Christian,  and  was 
willing  and  glad  to  go  to  his  Saviour.  In  his  last 
illness  his  heathen  neighbors  urged  him  to  take 
opium,  but  he  stoutly  declined,  saying,  “I  am  not 
afraid  to  die,  but  I am  afraid  of  that  horrid  drug.” 

Pomegranite  is  now  one  of  our  best  Bible 
women  and  is  on  the  regular  Bible  women’s  force 
undei  the  charge  of  Miss  Hyde  and  Miss  Sollman. 
Her  eldest  son  is  a deacon  in  our  church,  and  the 
deaf  and  dumb  son  is  a faithful  church  member. 


20 


Behold  how  great  a work  Christianity  has  done 
for  a heathen  family! 

March — I have  had  a very  satisfactory  talk 
with  the  deacon  from  White  Pagoda  village.  He 
was  one  of  my  first  patients  in  China.  He  was 
brought  to  the  Swatow  hospital  apparently  blind 
and  in  a most  emaciated  and  poverty-stricken 
condition.  Behold  what  a change!  Then  a 
heathen — now  a Christian  deacon;  then  a great 
physical  sufferer — now  a well  and  useful  man. 
One  eye  was  too  far  gone  to  save,  the  other  was 
improved  to  such  an  extent  that  it  does  him  good 
service.  After  he  had  been  four  months  in  the 
hospital  he  begged  the  privilege  of  going  to  his 
native  village  to  let  his  wife,  mother  and  aged 
grand  mother  see  what  the  foreign  doctor  could 
do  for  him.  During  these  months  in  the  hospital 
he  had  learned  to  read  his  Bible  and  to  love 
Christ.  He  had  worked  at  the  hospital  as  watch- 
man and  janitor  long  enough  to  earn  money  to 
buy  himself  a new  suit  of  clothes.  Clad  in  his 
new  garments  and  with  a Testament  and  hymn 
book  under  his  arm,  he  enters  his  native  village. 
His  neighbors  and  relations  do  not  recognize 
him,  and  when  convinced  that  he  was  the  forlorn- 
looking  man  who  left  them  a few  months  before, 
their  surprise  was  great  indeed.  The  aged 
mother  said,  ‘‘You  went  away  a helpless  invalid 
— you  return  a well  man  in  good  clothes — the 
foreign  doctor  has  made  a man  of  you.”  “Yes,” 


21 


he  replied,  “better  than  all  that  she  has  made  me 
to  know  Christ,  and  I am  a Christian.”  And 
then  and  there  he  preached  to  them  all  of  the 
saving  power  of  the  Christian  religion.  All  of 
his  family  and  several  of  his  village  men  became 
Christians  through  his  influence.  He  has  two 
bright  little  girls,  Anna  and  Ruth.  He  loves 
Scripture  names. 

October — Among  those  recently  baptized  is  an 
ex-opium  smoker.  Three  years  ago  he  gave  up 
the  opium  while  a patient  in  the  hospital  and  be- 
came a Christian.  Since  then  he  has  labored 
earnestly  to  persuade  others  to  give  up  the  habit. 
He  has  talked  the  true  Doctrine  to  his  family  and 
neighbors  and  his  wife  and  several  of  his  neigh- 
bors have  professed  faith  in  Christ.  The  day  of 
his  baptism  he  came  to  me,  almost  leaping  over 
the  seats  of  our  chapel  and  exclaimed,  “Rejoice 
with  me — they  have  received  me  into  the  church 
at  last — I have  applied  five  times  and  they  have 
been  afraid  I might  use  opium  again,  and  hence 
have  refused  to  accept  me.  But  today  I am  a 
baptized  believer  and  am  very,  very  happy,  and 
you  are  the  one  who  through  Christ’s  love,  has 
made  me  what  I am.” 

The  church  is,  rightfully,  very  cautious  in 
receiving  these  ex-opium  smokers. 

January,  1904. 

I am  delighted  with  the  many  useful  articles 
sent  by  Dr.  Worley  for  our  new  hospital.  Such 


22 


beautiful  new  comforts,  and  so  many  bandages, 
Scripture  rolls,  cards  and  scrap-books.  We  have 
with  great  joy  welcomed  Dr.  and  Mrs.  Worley. 
May  they  long  be  a part  of  our  Swatow  working 
force!  The  new  hospital  will  soon  be  finished 
and  it  is  a joy  to  leave  its  many  interests  in  such 
good  and  capable  hands. 

Feb.  6th — The  time  draws  near  when  I must 
retire  from  this  work — my  strength  is  altogether 
inadequate  for  such  service.  It  is  with  sincere 
regret  that  I leave  it.  For  nearly  fifteen  years 
it  has  enlisted  my  heart’s  deepest  interests  and 
joy.  I wish  I were  young  and  strong  and  could 
give  forty  years  more  to  it.  I hope  the  friends 
who  have  so  nobly  aided  me  will  be  as  royal  and 
loyal  helpers  to  my  successors.  The  native 
Christians  are  dear  to  me  and  it  is  not  easy  to 
leave  them.  I have  much  sympathy  with  their 
short-comings.  I think  we  missionaries  should 
pray  for  much  of  that  charity  that  suffereth  long 
and  is  kind,  and  we  should  remember  what  infi- 
nite compassion  and  patience  our  Master  has  had 
with  us.  These  Chinese  people  have  ages  of 
darkness  and  superstition  back  of  them  and  it  is 
wonderful  that  the  converts  are  as  good  and  re- 
liable as  we  find  them.  The  parting  from  Mary, 
George  and  the  dear  baby  who  came  to  us  Nov. 
I5th,  will  be  hard.  But  I rejoice  that  Mary  and 
George  are  still  in  mission  work  here. 

To  the  W.  B.  F.  M.  S.  W.  I owe  more  than  I 


23 


can  express.  They  have  been  my  staunch  and 
true  friends  and  I have  always  been  able  to  trust 
in  their  good  judgment.  Their  work  will  always 
be  very  dear  to  me,  and  I trust  I may  be  of  some 
use  to  them,  even  after  I retiie  from  the  medical 
work  at  Swatow.  The  home  work  and  the  foreign 
are  one:  Both  have  “one  steadfast  high  intent, 
one  harvest  song,  one  king  omnipotent.”  I will 
close  this  journal  of  my  life  in  China  with  these 
words  which  express  my  regret  in  retiring  from 
the  work. 

“Father,  the  field  is  but  half  turned 
And  yet  my  strength  is  well-nigh  spent.” 
“My  child,  the  hour  of  rest  is  earned, 

Thy  day’s  work  done,  go  home  content. 
Though  other  hands  should  till  this  soil, 

Thy  work  is  done,  go  home  content.” 


WOMAN’S  BAPTIST  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY 
of  the  West, 

1318  Masonic  Temple  - Chicago,  Ills. 
PRICE  10  CENTS. 

24 


P.  C.  MANTEUFFEL,  PRINTER.  322  W.  LAKE  ST  CHICAGO- 


i 


